Product dispensing system and method

A product dispenser comprising:

• a tubular plastic container having a closed end and defining a longitudinal axis, the closed end defining an orifice and having a pair of support posts extending therefrom,
• the tubular plastic container defining a longitudinal keyway in an outer surface thereof and a retention bead formed about a portion of the outer surface and adjacent the closed end thereof;
• and
• a plastic closure mounted about the closed end of the plastic container and having a closing lid portion which includes an orifice plug configured for releasable sealing engagement with the orifice-of the plastic container,
• the closing lid portion having a tab portion for manipulation thereof, the plastic closure including a retention collar disposed about the outer surface of the plastic container and being moveably connected to the closing lid portion via a hinge member, the retention collar having a retention bead formed about a circumferential portion of an inner surface of the plastic closure and being configured to engage the retention bead of the plastic container to fixedly mount the plastic closure to the plastic container,
• the plastic closure further including an orientation key formed on the inner surface and being receivable within the longitudinal keyway of the plastic container, the orientation key and the longitudinal keyway engaging to facilitate mounting alignment of the plastic container, and
• the plastic closure further including a tamper evident portion including a tear band being circumferentially disposed about the closed end of the plastic container and removably connecting the closing lid portion and the retention collar such that the tear band connects the closing lid portion and the retention collar to provide a first visual indication, the first visual indication indicating that the integrity of a product disposed within the plastic container has not been compromised,
• the tear band being removable to provide a second visual indication, the second visual indication indicating that the closing lid portion is moveable between a closed position whereby the orifice of the plastic container and the orifice plug of the plastic closure are maintained in sealing engagement and an open position whereby the sealing engagement of the orifice and the orifice plug is interrupted, wherein the open position includes a range of movement of the closing lid portion between a first position whereby sealing engagement between the orifice and the orifice plug is interrupted and a second position whereby the closing lid portion is resiliently biased towards the first position.

A method of using a dispenser comprising the steps of:

• providing a dispenser which includes:
• a container having an orifice and at least one support post extending therefrom, and
• a closure including an orifice plug and a tamper evident portion, the closure being engageable with the at least one support post;
• mounting the closure with the container such that the orifice and the orifice plug are in scaling engagement and the tamper evident portion indicates a first visual indication;
• and
• removing the tamper evident portion from the closure to indicate a second visual indication.